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Arroyo planning to meet with D-backs

Free-agent righty won 14 games with a 3.79 ERA for the Reds last season

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Gilbert on Arroyo, D-backs 2:59

MLB.com D-backs reporter Steve Gilbert confirms reports that Bronson Arroyo is meeting with Arizona and how the rotation would be impacted

By Steve Gilbert
/
MLB.com |

PHOENIX -- A baseball source confirmed a Boston Globe report that said the D-backs are planning to meet with free-agent pitcher Bronson Arroyo.

The D-backs have been seeking a starting pitcher all winter, exploring trade possibilities for the Rays' David Price and the Cubs' Jeff Samardzija, and they were one of the finalists for the services of right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, who signed a $155 million deal with the Yankees.

Matt Garza was another pitcher the D-backs had interest in, but he was able to get a four-year deal from the Brewers. Arizona general manager Kevin Towers had said during the Winter Meetings that he did not anticipate offering a deal longer than three years to any free-agent pitcher other than Tanaka.

Earlier this week, the D-backs decided to take another look at possible free agents on the market, particularly Arroyo.

Free-agent pitchers Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez are tied to Draft compensation, meaning Arizona would have to surrender its first-round pick in this year's Draft should the club sign one of them. Arroyo, however, would not cost a Draft pick.

Arroyo, who turns 37 later this month, was 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA last season for the Reds and has been a workhorse during his career. Over the last nine seasons, Arroyo has thrown at least 199 innings.

D-backs pitchers and catchers are set to report to Spring Training on Thursday.